Hotbed frame



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 3, 1940.

E. P. LEEPER HOTBED FRAME Filed April 16, 1940 Dec. 3, 1940.

E. P. LEEPER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 16, 1940 vENToR EUGENE P. LEEPER ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y. HOTBED FRAME Eugene P. Leeper, Bristol, Pa.

Application April 16, 1940, .Serial No. 329,851

' Y 10 Claims. (Cl. 47-19) This invention relates Vto hotbed frames.

Hotbed frames' are of considerable antiquity so far as the broad principles are concerned. The provision of a frame rising perpendicularly from the ground and dening an upper sloping glass covered opening is well established. The previous practices in this regard have caused the creation of various sorts of sashes with which the opening of the frame could be closed as completely as possible while still permittingcrude manipulations to approximate a certain degree of ventilation when desired. It has been found most expedient heretofore to. provide a series of light transmitting sashes which were individually laid over the opening and held down as best they could be with make-shift weightsand the like and when ventilation or access to the frame was necessary had to be tilted or propped up by awkward accessories. The difficulty with most of the prior efforts starts with a fundamental that they must be cheap or else they will make shift of whatever is offered that is cheaper. In the case of the individual sashes arranged for tilting or propping open, as are the great body of 2s hotframe sashes in use today, there are many cases in which they fail for one reason or another and the budding shoots are ruined, so that the entire benefit of the early work with the hot frames is lost. Y

'Ihe disadvantages of the prior frames with which I am most particularly familiar, and in View of which the hotbed frame of the present invention was evolved and invented, may be summarized as follows; rst, is their susceptibility to damagey from sudden wind storms. Many cases can be given in #which entire sashes have been lifted bodily from the hotbed frame and whirled high in the air to the ultimate destruc- -tion of the glass and most of the frames. This is most certainly an added factor with the conventioi'ialA propping 4arrangements by which in effect tunnels are created by adjacent sashes facilitating adverse wind effects. To guard against this many expedients have been resorted l to, as by laying heavy stones on the sashes, or overlying a plurality of .them with a long pipe which was fastened downat the ends, or by tying down the individual sash, and the like. Second, owing to the general arrangements, and the wind protection of the past to prepare -the hotbed frame for ventilation was a two man job, one to work on each side of the frame, to help tilt and to prop, etc. Third is the factor of too much shade area. It has been' customary to provide transverse girders or the like upon which the edges of adjacent sashes could lie in some hope of preventing the rain from running into the frame, and such broad girders every few feet (three) not only prevent the proper working of the bed but cast too much area of shade. Fourth 5 is the problem lof water, and especially of rain. Owing to warping and other adverse eifects of prior constructions it has been practically 1mpossible to cause the water to run on and not into the bed. The openness of the bed and of 10 the cracks between sashes even with girders, has permitted grave loss of seeds and plants through water seepage.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide an improved hotbed; to provide 15 a hotbed wherein the contents of a hotbed are protected from rain, snow and bad weather conditions generally; to provide a hotbed wherein provision is made to automatically compensate for expansion, contraction and warpage of hotbed 20 sashes; to provide a novel setting means for the light panes of a hotbed sash: to provide a hotbed having sashes which are so arranged as to fully cover the bed frame but are adjustable as to position to give full access to the bed proper 25 wherever necessary to plant, cultivate or otherwise work within the frame; to provide an interlocking means for hotbed sashes which completely stabilizes one sash with respect to another and eliminates the danger of the sash be- 30 ing dismantled by wind; and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents a plan of a hotbed frame embodying one form of the present invention; Fig.. 2 represents a section on line 2--2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 represents a section on line 3,--3 of Fig. 1 Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 represents an enlarged detail section on line 5 5 of Fig. 1 showing the initial assembling position of the parts; 4o

Fig. 6 represents a perspective of one unit of a hotbed frame embodying the present invention and showing one arrangement of the sash for ventilation or access purposes but with the glass omitted in order to illustrate the ledge construction; and Figs. 7, 8 and 9 represent respectively sections through abutting pairs of stiles, each showing a dilerent modied form of scupper.

Referring to the drawings one form of the present invention comprises a frame l0 prefer- 50 ably rectangular in shape and having an open top and bottom, the former for access to the interior and the latter 'for access to the soil in which seeds and plants are to be propagated. 'I'he rear wall of the frame is higher than the 55 front wall so that there is a well defined pitch or incline provided for the superposed sash to carry ou rain water. 'In the present description one unit of the frame only will be described but it is to be understood that generally several units will be assembled end to end and suitably interconnected to form a relatively long hotoed.

Preferably each unit includes a plurality of cover control sashes, each formed of .two parallel stiles it and l2 interconnected near the ad `acent pairs oi ends respectively by rails i3 and it so that a strong .tour sided sash results. Since the sash sc formed is relatively wide it is preferred to subdivide the light opening and as here shown two longitudinally arranged mullions i5 and It interconnect the rails it and It to thus vform three light openings each of a size to accommodate a pane of glass ll of substantial area but yet one unlikely to fracture in ordinary handling of the sash. In connection with the rails |33 and it, and mullions I5 and i6 it should be noted that the upper faces of the stiles li and |21, the rail i3, and the mullions i5 and I6 all lie in the same plane, while the rail I4 is below that plane. Hence since the rail I4 is designed for location at the front, or low point, of the frame I0, it will be evident with the panes of glass I1 in place that water will run freely oil? that end of the sash. It will also be Aobserved that the respective glass supporting ledges I8 are formed respectively only on the inner walls of the stiles, mullions and rail I3 and that the upper faces of such ledges are in the same plane as the upper face of the rail I4. The glass panes are therefore of such a. length as to overlap and seat upon the rail I4. The mullion ends which abut the rail I4 are properly rabbetted to overlie the rail I4 and thus provide continued lateral contact with the portion of the glass panes which overlap the rail I4 and also prevent water from reaching the lower transverse rail joint.

One feature of the present invention embodies a novel means for setting the glass panes Il in the respective sash openings, and this comprehends the provision of a slot 20 asa boundary for the respective ledges i8 to receive putty 2l in excess of that normally required to set a pane of glass. In assembly of the respective panes, the putty is filled in the slot 2@ and overlies the upper face oi? the ledges it, the preferred method of application being by the use of a pressure gun which is caused to follow the path of the ledges exuding the desired amount of putty. A pane is then laid upon the annular strip of putty, pressed rrnly into contact therewith, and then anchored by driving glazier points 22 llaterally into the adjacent stile, rail or mullion to remain overlapping the marginal edge of the glass pane. This overlapping relation of one sash side to another coupled with the bisected inclined joint faces insures gravitationally secured joints for interconnecting pairs of sash.

To assist in the draining of the upper faces of the stiles li and i2 each is provided with a longltudinally disposed gutter 23 extending from one end to the other.

For the purpose of interconnecting one sash with another and also with the frame lo, the stile il has its top provided with a substantially V- shaped groove 265 extending throughout the length thereof. Preferably the rface of this groove 2d nearest to the center line of the stile is vertical while the opposite face is inclined outwardly and upwardly to meet the outer face of the stile and thus form a coupling lip lying well below the top of the stile. The opposite stile l2 has its bottom provided with a substantially V-shaped groove 25 of a depth similar to that of groove 24 extending throughout tlie length threof. Preferably the face or this groove 25 nearest to the center line of the stile is vertical while the opposite face is inclined outwardly and downwardly to meet the outer face of the stile and thus form a coupling lip lying well above the bottom of the stile. The contour and size of the grooves 2li and i5 are complemental so that when the lip on the stile of one sash is iitted into the complemental lip on the stile ci the next adjacent sash, there will be an eective interlock provided between the -two sashes. In order to insure that all of the sash in' a series have their outer surfaces lying substantially in common planes, it is important that the upwardly presenting lip surface 2d and the downwardly presenting groove surface 25 have their sloping faces as duplicate complements wherein each sloping face cuts across a plane median of each sash. In connection Witl'rthe interlocking of the aforesaid lips it should'be noted that it is preferable to round off the edge of the lip formed by the groove 25 so that when it interts with its groove 24, a scupper 26 is provided running the length of the stile and by reason of the inclined positiomof the sash will carry water rapidly away.

For assembling the sash with the frame in interconnected sliding relation, one end of the frame I has a retaining strip 21 fixed thereon by nails 28 or other fastening means, such strip having a substantially V-shaped groove 30 cut at the inner side of its bottom face to extend throughout the length of the strip 21. The groove 30 is generally complemental to the groove 24 so that while a relatively free sliding movement of the sash can take place, the inclined meeting surfaces of the interfltted lips holds the sash against vertical displacement. At the opposite end of the frame a second retaining strip 3I is secured transversely of the frame being held by nails 32`or like fastening means. The inner side of the top of the strip 3i is so cut as to form a substantially V-shaped groove 33 running lengthwise of the strip for complemental intertting with the groove 25 and lip on' the adjoining sash. Thus while a free sliding movement of the sash relative to the strip 3l is permitted the weight of that sash plus the downward pressure of the next adjacent sash securely holds the parts together.

That the foregoing assembly may result in the desired sealed joint between contiguous sections regardless of the effects of expansiorror contraction, the unit is put together in an ingenious way. First the rail 2l is fastened inplace at the left end of the frame as viewed from the front and the first sash section A joined thereto by interlocking the lips and grooves 2t and 35 respectively. Section B is then placed in position with its groove 2d and its lip substantially registered vertically below the groove 25 and its lip, but actual interiitting is prevented by placing wedges of suitable thickness between the opposed side faces of the two sections A and B. As a result the stiles l2 and Ii are initially spaced as shown in Fig. with the wedge in dotted lines. VThe same wedge operation is repeated between sections B and C and between section C and the rail 3 I, which latter can now be fixed to the frame ICL All the wedges are now removed and the weight of each sash allows the respective grooves 25'to ride downwardly upon the inclined face assauts of the grooves 24 to thus form a rigid interlock but one lwhich can respond as an automatic ad- Justment to take up contraction or relievefexpansion while always maintaining a sealed guide joint. Y

In Figs. '1, 8 and 9 three different forms of scuppers are shown to carry ci! any water entering between the Joint of adjacent, stiles. Thus in Fig. 7 the scupper 34 is arc shaped in cross section and cut lengthwise of and at the lower end of the inclined face which forms one side oi' the groove 24. In Fig. 8 the scupper 35 is also arc shaped in cross section but is cut lengthwise.

of and at the lower end of the vertical face which forms one side of the groove 24. In Fig. 9 the scupper 36 is similarly located with respect to' the scupper of Fig. 8, but is substantially rectangular in cross section. All such-scuppers serve to prevent collection of water at the Joint and are effective to eliminate ice in the joint.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a complete unitary hotbed frame has been devised -producing a result not heretofore attained by'any prior sash frames. These advantages may be summarized as follows: The sashes resting upon the frame members to cover the opening of the hotbed are interlocked with a lateral guide mem-` ber, so far as the first sash of the series is concerned so' th'at the side engaging therewith is held down while still permitted to slide relative to the guide. 'I'he other edge of t the first sash rests upon the complemental upwardly presenting edge of the contiguous sash so as to impose its weight thereon to both hold the sash down and cause it to continue to remain interlocked.

The inclined abutting faces of the overlapping portion (Fig. 5) causes a lateral thrust to be developed by the sheer weight of the imposed sash so as to form a rather rigid Joint (so far as torque 40 is concerned at the point of meeting) and which also causes the sash to pull together laterally thus maintaining tight engagement of the entire series of sashes along the hotbed frame. With the sashes thus disposed a single operator can slide any given sash or sashes inonedirection or v due course can be slid back to close the openings.

The advantages of this construction are so important that they cannot be overemphasized. It reduces the shade area by eliminating cross girders, it provides a lock joint which maintains despite attempts at warping, it keeps the sash from blowing oi under high wind conditions and therefore saves glass, the interlocking Joint makes a rail which is approximately four times stronger than any former constructions, the'sash frames mutually re-enforce each other tominimize sag or warp, it prevents freezing of the sash together by maintaining a constantly tight Joint between adjacent sashes, by opening one' or two together in the same direction it exposes a large area by which weeding is facilitated, it is cheaper than previous constructions and the labor cost of operation is reduced by fifty per cent.

This application is a continuation-impart of my application, Serial No. 222,471, illed August 1,

, f3 of sashes extending' transversely of the bed supported on the walls to cover said opening and arranged for sliding movement relative to and on each other and to the walls. and complemental overlapping means preventingl lateral separationl of said sash during suchv sliding movements. s ,2. In hctframe constructions, walls defining a hotbed and forming an upper opening, a plurality of sashes extending transversely of the bed sup- 1 ported; onthe'walls to cover said opening and ar-- -ranged forsliding movement relative to each other and to the walls, and means holding the sashes laterally together during such sliding movements, saidv means comprising complemental overlapping interlocking lips and grooves.

3.` In hot frame constructions, walls defining a hotbed and forming an upper opening, a plurality Y of sashes extending transversely of the bed' sup- ])ported on the walls to cover said opening andarranged for sliding movement `relative to each other and to the walls, and means' holding the sashes laterally together during such sliding movements, said means comprising complemen` tal interlocking lips and grooves mounted on the respective sash, the groove on one sash `being ver tically alined with the lip on the other sash.

4. In hot frame constructions. walls denning a* hotbed and Iforming an upper opening, a plurality of sashes extending transversely of the bed supported on the walls to cover said opening and.

4movements, one sash resting upon an adjacent sash through its interlocking connection -on one side and supporting the edge of the next adjacent sash on the other side.

5. In hot frame constructions, walls defining a hotbed and forming an upper opening, a plurality of sashes extending transversely of the bed supported'onthe walls to cover said opening and arranged for sliding movement relative to each other and to the walls, and overlapping means holdingthe sashes laterally together during such sliding movements, the last mentioned means including inclined meeting surfaces so arranged that the weight of one sash applied through the connection forms an automatic take up between said sashes to compensate for -any warping.

6. In hot frame constructions, walls dening a hotbed and forming an upper opening, a plurality l of sashes extending transversely of the bed supported on the walls to cover said opening and arranged for sliding movement relative to each other and to the walls, and means holding the sashes laterally together during such sliding movements, the last mentioned means including lips and grooves on respective sashes at least one -having' inclined meeting surfaces so arranged that the weight of one sash applied through the connection retains sealing engagement between the lips and grooves of contiguous sashes despite limited lateral relative movements of said sashes.

7. A sash for hot frames comprising a framework having lateral parallel side frame members, each of the latter being undercut longitudinally full length at the outer edge with each undercut of the same depth, one frame undercut to present a longitudinal 'guide surface sloping upwardly and the other presenting a longitudinal guide surface sloping downwardly, said upwardly and downwardly presenting surfaces being duplicate ranged as to engage adjacent sash of ase'ries of similar sash in laterally overlapping interlocking and endwise sliding guided relation substantially in the plane ofthe sash.

' 8. In hot frame constructions, walls defining a hotbed having an yupper opening, a plurality of sashes extending transversely of the bed supported onrthe wall to cover' said openingand arranged Y for sliding movementrelative to eachother and to the walls.,l overlapping means holding the sashes laterally together during such sliding movements, lateral guide means rigid with the frame for engaging and interlocking with the first Vsash of a series to anchorsame while permitting free sliding thereof parallel -to said guide means. 9. A propagating bed comprising a skeleton frame open at the top and bottom, a strip transversely disposed across one end thereof having an undercut groove forming a downwardly located l aaaspae vcomplements and extending yacrossa plane median ofthe sash, said sash so constructed and ar-v groove of said first sash, whereby said second sash is anchored by the'weight of said rst sash. 10. In a. propagating frame, a plurality of sashesrformlng the top thereof, telescopic overlapping lateral gravitationally secured Joints for interconnecting one sash with another, and -telescopic lateral joint means on said frame overlapping adjacent sashes for permitting endwise displacement of said sashes.

' EUGENE P. LEEPER. 

